EDUC6403 DETS(A) Dissertation (B)

Module Overview

The dissertation builds on work undertaken across other modules and provides you with an opportunity to undertake a piece of independent research in a chosen topic. Normally, your dissertation will be individually supervised.

Aims and Objectives

Module Aims

• Make your own contribution to educational understanding by presenting a coherent, detailed and sustained argument at length on an educational topic; • Develop advanced practical and analytical skills in a range of quantitative and/or qualitative research methods as an academic researcher and writer on educational and social matters; • Develop your own ideas and organise a project independently but with supportive guidance. • Refine and practice a range of skills which would be useful to you in further study or a professional/work based context.

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the research process and understand methods of data collection and analysis and apply them in a self-reliant manner
Analyse and synthesise research findings
Produce and present a carefully argued dissertation
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the approaches by which research and critical awareness of debates in education can be utilised to construct a scholarly argument.
Critically evaluate an appropriate range of relevant primary source materials and arguments reflected in other sources and propose a relevant area of investigation
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of your chosen dissertation project, its potential impact on practice and the range of relevant scholarly literature and source materials
Choose and evaluate a feasible independent research design, project plan and structure
Devise appropriate research questions
Devise appropriate research methods to undertake a research project
Acquire appropriate Ethical and Research Governance approvals
Demonstrate an understanding of data collection and analysis methods

Syllabus

Special Features

There are no special features for this module.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

In studying this module you will cover aspects of the following: • Strategies for focusing and managing the research process. • Quantitative and qualitative methodologies and approaches to research. • Key data collection methods (surveys, interviews, focus groups, observation). • Methods for analysing and interpreting data. • Dissertation writing and presentation skills

Type	Hours
Independent Study	150
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Willig, C. (2008). Introducing Qualitative Research in Psychology.

Punch, K. (2009). Introduction to Research methods in Education.

Creswell, J. (2002). Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches.

McNiff, J., & Whitehead, J. (2002). Action Research: Principles and Practice.

Patton, M. (2002). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods.

Lichtman, M. (2010). Qualitative Research in Education- A User’s Guide.

Fink, A. (2009). How to conduct Surveys: A Step by Step Guide.

Guba, E., & Lincoln, Y. (1998). Competing paradigms in Qualitative research . In Denzin, N. & Lincoln, Y. (eds). The Landscape of Qualitative Research: Theories and Issues.

Wragg, E. (1999). An Introduction to Classroom Observation.

Neuendorf, K. (2002). The Content Analysis Guidebook.

Rubin, I., & Rubin, H. (2005). Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of Hearing Data.

Wengraf, T. (2002). Qualitative Research Interviewing.

Yin, R. (2004). The Case Study Anthology.

Krippendorff, K. (2004). Content Analysis: An Introduction to its Methodology.

Bell, J. (2005). Doing your research project: a guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science.

Oppenheim, A. (2000). Questionnaire Design.

Kvale, S. (2008). Interviews: Learning the Craft of Qualitative Research Interviewing.

Strauss, A. and J. Corbin (1990). Basics of Qualitative Research.

Muijs, D. (2004/8). Doing Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS.

Hopkins, D. (2002). A Teacher’s Guide to Classroom Research.

Fink, A. (1998). Conducting Research Literature Reviews.

Assessment

Summative

Method	Percentage contribution
Dissertation (17000 words)	100%

Referral

Method	Percentage contribution
Coursework assignment(s)	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External